Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at G.M.S. Tokomololo school in Tonga after the Pacific Islands Forum. The New Zealand government has paid for dual language books to be printed. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has spent time with communities in Tonga after the 53rd Pacific Islands Forum wrapped up.
His motorcade was welcomed at G.M.S. Tokomololo School by dozens of school children waving Tongan flags on the roadside.
The school had set out flax baskets full of fruit and vegetables, as well as a whole pig on a bed of palm branches.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at G.M.S. Tokomololo school in Tonga after the Pacific Islands Forum. The New Zealand government has paid for dual language books to be printed. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith
The New Zealand government has printed 24,000 copies of 12 dual-language versions of books for the 122 primary schools in Tonga, at a cost of $140,000.
It is also contributing $6.3 million to support deaf learners in Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Niue and Cook Islands through increased access to quality learning, sign language, early identification and intervention services.
The school put on a colourful show for Luxon and his wife Amanda on Friday afternoon, with students singing songs, performing a traditional ceremony and a zumba dance.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon with a deaf Tongan boy, who become overwhelmed with emotion on 30 August, 2024, after the PM attended the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' retreat. The NZ government is also providing NZ$6.3 million to support deaf learners in Fiji, Vanuatu, Niue, Cook Islands and Tonga. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith
A deaf student became overwhelmed with emotion when Luxon approached him and his parents afterwards.
Luxon then visited a watermelon farm, where his government has funded a pilot drip irrigation system with Nishi Farming and six smallholder farmers to help combat the impact of recent drought on watermelon crops.
He was due to fly back to Auckland on a Defence Force plane in the evening.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visits a farm in Tonga after attending the Pacific Islands Forum. Photo: RNZ / Anneke Smith
